How can Ketamine Infusion Therapy Treat Anxiety?

How can Ketamine Infusion Therapy Treat Anxiety?

In addition to successful treatment of depression, Ketamine Infusion Therapy can also be useful in treating anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders are very common psychiatric conditions. Social anxiety is the most common with prevalence of 13% in the US population, while generalized anxiety disorder and separation anxiety disorder have prevalence rates of 2-7%. Anxiety can often have a crippling effect on the sufferer which prevents them from achieving what they want in life. For severe anxiety, intervention is necessary. In these cases, Ketamine is shown to improve Anxiety symptoms of patients. Ketamine Infusion Therapy consists of intravenous infusions of ketamine; this procedure can rapidly alleviate anxiety symptoms with relief peaking as soon in as twenty-four hours.. Dr. Keith Ablow, an American psychiatrist, author, television personality and former professor at Tufts University School of Medicine; stated that over two thirds of his Ketamine Infusion Therapy patients have experienced dramatic recoveries. The overall mood of the patients improved greatly, and they had more energy and improved self-esteem. The effects of the treatments generally last up to a few months, at which point booster infusions are needed. Compared to medication that must be taken daily, Ketamine Infusion Therapy offers more peace of mind.

Is Ketamine Infusion Therapy right for everyone?

The treatment is harmless, and Ketamine has been used for decades as an anesthetic. However, with the noticeable improvements the substance has on depression and anxiety, it is being used more and more for this alternative treatment. Many patients see the exponential improvements after two to six infusions. Ketamine works by increasing the communication between the nerve cells and the brain, encouraging more activity at the synapses for the nerve cells to interact with each other. Thus, the series of treatments are necessary for this effect to occur over time. Studies on the benefits of Ketamine for anxiety have existed as far back as the 1960s. In fact, 21 university students between the ages of 18 and 30 volunteered to participate in a psychology experiment to develop the substance in 1979. Although results vary per individual, the experiment proved Ketamine indeed had strong effects on the brain to improve mood and reduce anxiety in the subjects. Many tests have been conducted since then, and new medication delivery methods are currently being sought after to make it even easier for severe anxiety sufferers to get Ketamine. For now, Ketamine Infusion Therapy is among the best option to treat severe anxiety. Though rare to find treatments this successful in combating mental illness, Ketamine Infusion shows great promise.